This Calgary Patio Brings Indoor Entertaining to the Outdoors

Creating a comfortable living space in and of itself is a feat, but putting one together on top of a garage? That’s a challenge — and a challenge that Lush Interiors took on marvellously. 

“We had to do a bunch of engineering to make it all work,” says owner and lead designer at Lush Interiors, Charlene Threatful.

Busy Calgary homeowners of this 2021 build had one primary goal in mind when designing their outdoor living space: creating a functional living space that felt like a natural extension of their indoor living space. With teenage children and a drive to entertain, the clients wanted to combine functionality with the aesthetic of their indoor interior design.

“They wanted a space that was also three-seasons because they wanted to be there in the spring and the fall as well, so we incorporated some functionality that would allow them to do that,” says Threatful.

The two immediate focal points of the patio are the fireplace and the pergola. The fireplace was redesigned and reimagined to match the blue and grey aesthetic, aligning the design with the rest of the home. Along with the fireplace, Threatful mentions that they added grey stucco, a mantle and a beautiful hearth. 

“They were specific on asking for a pergola because they wanted shade, they wanted to control and have some shade, they wanted heat in the spring and the fall, so we installed heaters,” says Threatful. 

By adding the pergola, the clients were able to get that functionality that they wanted out of the space — the addition allowed them to have a bit of control over the shade during the colder months and the sun and heat in the warmer months. 

The home itself boasts a navy blue stucco exterior and the homeowners wanted that reflected on  the patio, so the specific shade of blue photographed is the colour that really helped that cohesion from inside to outside, guiding the entire palette.

Layout, furnishings and colour palette for the patio were all chosen to capture the essential flow between inside and out, allowing the homeowners to step seamlessly from their indoor living space into a welcoming outdoor environment. The result is a cohesive space that mirrors the home’s interior style while offering the functionality and comfort needed for modern outdoor living.